Danjin smiled. “She is enjoying herself immensely. As for whether she will be successful at her task,” he shook his head, “that is unsure. Their leaders, the Speakers, want all tribes to agree to an alliance before they sign anything, and during the first Gathering a few tribes spoke against it. She hopes that new revelations will change their mind. The threat of war is one. The other is a fortunate coincidence. One of the Siyee has created a new weapon that will allow them to strike at the enemy while in flight, making them an effective force in battle. They will hold another Gathering in a week to decide.”

What is this weapon? Leiard wondered. The idea that the Siyee might become warlike dismayed him. He had always been heartened to know there was at least one non-violent race in the world.

A non-violent people created by Huan. Now there’s an irony for you, Mirar muttered.

“She asked me to visit you,” Danjin added. He drained the mug of tintra.

Leiard smiled. “So she hasn’t forgotten us yet.”

“No.” Danjin chuckled. “I suspect that if it wasn’t for her commitment to her position she would settle in Si.”

“She is infatuated,” Leiard said. “It happens to some new travellers. They discover a place and fall in love with it. They believe everything there is done as it should be. Eventually they come to see that place for what it is—both the good and the bad.”

Danjin regarded Leiard with an odd expression. Leiard sensed surprise and a reluctant respect. “In my early years as a merchant, and later as a courier and negotiator, I noted the same phenomenon.” Danjin looked at the empty mug in his hands, then set it aside. “I must continue home. It is late and my wife is expecting me.” He rose. “Please pass on my gratitude for the warm drink.”

“I will,” Leiard assured him.

Leiard walked with Danjin to the main entrance. As they reached it Danjin hesitated, frowned and glanced at Leiard almost furtively. Leiard sensed a sudden shift in the man’s mood. Danjin wanted to say something. A warning, perhaps.

Danjin turned back to the door.

Ask him if there is anything else, Mirar said.

No, Leiard replied. If he was able to tell me, he would have.

You can’t be sure of that. We both know his family have always hated Dreamweavers. If you won’t ask him, I will.

Leiard felt something slip away, like the sensation of not quite catching a falling object in time and having it slide through his fingers. His mouth opened, though he hadn’t willed it to.

“There is something else, isn’t there?”

Danjin turned to regard Leiard in surprise.

Not as surprised as I am! Leiard thought. He groped for control of his body, but he had never lost it before and had no idea how to regain it.